Uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory

ABSTRACT

The uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory is a flexible accessory shaped as an ankle band for use as an indicia-displaying device, and includes an upper band adapted to encircle a wearer&#39;s lower leg, side straps depending from the upper band, a middle section adapted to encircle a wearer&#39;s ankle and a lower band dimensioned to extend beneath a wearer&#39;s foot. The side straps, middle section and lower band may be omitted. The upper band has several display areas with which to display indicia such as logos, team names and the like. The footwear accessory may have one or a number of fasteners located on various areas of the accessory, or the fastener(s) may be omitted altogether. The footwear accessory may be reversible, and the display strips of indicia may be releasably attached to the footwear accessory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/845,543, filed on May 14, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to footwear accessories, and particularlyto a footwear accessory that ornamentally displays indicia.

2. Description of the Related Art

Decorative displays on shirts, shoes, and other such products that maybe worn by consumers have become a prosperous facet of the clothingindustry. Once plain shirts now often feature elaborate designs offamous artists, and virtually every sport-related item of clothing nowdisplays a professional team's or sporting company's logo. There are fewadditional avenues left for visual displays that may be worn on items ofclothing, sportswear or the like. While some clothing items that do notimmediately lend themselves to displaying ornamental designs haveincorporated such designs on the item of clothing, new clothing items donot abound.

In addition, although there are various items of clothing such as anklebraces, shoes, etc. that may be placed on feet or around ankles, theseitems are used for therapeutic purposes, generally to support the feetand ankles. They are designed to restrict movement of the ankle andfoot, thus to prevent injuries. However, there are no footwearaccessories, the sole purpose of which is ornamental display of indicia.

Accordingly, there is a need for a footwear accessory used to displayindicia.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,087, issued Aug. 11, 1998 to J. Pringle, describesan ankle brace that controls pivotal movement of the foot about theankle joint. The ankle brace includes a support member, an upper cuffand braces extended on either side of the user's leg. In addition, stopmembers are utilized to control pivotal movement of the foot about theankle in order to prevent injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,259, issued May 11, 1999 to G. Wilkerson, describesa therapeutic ankle orthosis that permits pivotal movement of the footabout the ankle joint. A medial and a foot shell overlap and arepivotally connected to allow for movement by a user. Multiple straps areused to secure the shells to each other and about the foot and ankle.Additionally, the therapeutic ankle orthosis increases the compressioneffect on ankle tissues in order to control swelling.

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. U.S. 2003/0083603 A1, published May 1, 2003 andinvented by R. Nelson, describes a bootlike ankle brace allowing flexionand extension while preventing certain injury-causing movements, such asinversion, twisting and the like. The brace allows the user to place hisfoot within it and is laced together through eyelets in ends of thebrace. The brace is constructed with a medial member and a lateralmember that receive the user's ankle and foot, respectively. The anklebrace is designed to limit certain types of movement by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 335,000, issued Apr. 20, 1993 to K. Johnson, shows aknee protector having indicia thereon.

Other patents showing clothing items displaying indicia thereon includeU.S. Pat. No. Des. 339,671, issued Sep. 28, 1993 to R. Manning (footcase cover); U.S. Pat. No. Des. 377,241, issued Jan. 7, 1997 to P.Kenner (face shield for winter outdoor activities).

Other patents showing ankle bands or similar include U.S. Pat. No. Des.417,036, issued Nov. 23, 1999 to L. Hamowy (combined knee and elbowpad); U.S. Pat. No. Des. 417,933, issued Dec. 21, 1999 to S. Hanley etal. (combined knee and elbow pads); U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. U.S.2002/0029009 A1, published Mar. 7, 2002 and invented by G. Bowman (rigidankle and foot orthosis); U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. U.S. 2003/0153857 A1,published Aug. 14, 2003 and invented by F. McCarthy et al. (pneumaticAchilles sleeve); U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. U.S. 2003/0171706 A1,published Sep. 11, 2003 and invented by R. Nelson (adjustable size anklebrace); U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. U.S. 2003/0233062 A1, published Dec. 18,2003 and invented by S. McCormick et al. (nonbulky ankle brace for usewith footwear)

Additional patents showing ankle bands include U.S. Pat. No. 1,624,266,issued Apr. 12, 1927 to M. Luder (ankle brace); U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,229,issued Jun. 28, 1988 to T. Sutherland (ankle brace); U.S. Pat. No.4,844,094, issued Jul. 4, 1989 to T. Grim (ankle brace); U.S. Pat. No.5,014,691, issued May 14, 1991 to G. Cueman et al. (ankle brace withdensified batting); U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,478, issued Feb. 18, 1992 to T.Grim (gel and air cushion ankle brace); U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,232, issuedMar. 10, 1992, to D. Harris et al. (ankle brace with floating pivothinge); U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,439, issued Nov. 22, 1994 to R. Peters(ankle brace with bubble cushioning); U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,413, issuedApr. 15, 1997 to D. Olson (combination ankle brace and wrap); U.S. Pat.No. 5,944,678, issued Aug. 31, 1999 to C. Hubbard (ankle brace); U.S.Pat. No. 5,944,679, issued Aug. 31, 1999 to W. DeToro (adjustable ankleand foot orthosis brace); U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,884, issued Apr. 25, 2000to R. Peters (ankle brace with cuff); U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,474 B1, issuedNov. 25, 2003 to P. Quinn et al. (ankle brace); U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,081B2, issued Feb. 10, 2004 to G. Bowman (rigid ankle and foot orthosis);PCT Intl. Pat. No. WO 99/02109, published Jan. 21, 1999 and invented byC. Neal (ankle brace); and U.K. Pat. No. GB 2 370 230 A, published Jun.26, 2002 and invented by A. Bourne et al.

Although the related art addresses braces situated about an ankle anditems of clothing on which indicia is shown, what is needed is acomfortable, flexible accessory item that provides for display ofvarious marks and indicia. What is further needed is a footwearaccessory that serves to display items and does not limit the user'sankle or foot movement. Such an accessory should fit with ease within ashoe and serve merely as a clothing item providing for ornamentaldisplay of team logos, names, etc.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thusa uni-sex multi-sport accessory solving the aforementioned problems isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory is a flexible accessoryshaped as an ankle band for use as an indicia-displaying device. Themulti-sport accessory includes an upper band adapted to encircle awearer's lower leg, side straps depending from the upper band, a middlesection adapted to encircle a wearer's ankle and a lower banddimensioned to extend beneath a wearer's foot. The middle section andlower band define several openings with which to situate a user's foot.The upper band may have several display strips with which to displayindicia such as logos, team names and the like. When the footwearaccessory is pulled onto the foot and a shoe is put on over theaccessory, the upper band of the footwear accessory is visible over theshoe and provides a clear display of the indicia. The side straps,middle section and lower band may alternatively be omitted, such thatonly the upper band is positioned about the user's lower leg.

The footwear accessory may consist of one or a multitude of fastenerslocated on various areas of the accessory, including the upper band andthe middle section of the flexible body. Additionally, it may omit thefastener, requiring the user to slip the footwear accessory over theuser's foot.

The upper band, side straps, middle section and lower band defineopenings in the footwear accessory, the purpose of which is to allow theupper band to resemble a wrist band in terms of aesthetic construction.In alternate embodiments, the design of the footwear accessory may beslightly modified by adding openings in the upper band. The additionalopenings serve merely as a variation on the aesthetic construction ofthe footwear accessory.

Additionally, the flexible body of the footwear accessory may bereversible, having indicia on either side of the flexible body. Further,the indicia display strips may be detachable.

Advantageously, the uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory is alightweight, flexible accessory designed to fit comfortably within auser's shoe. It is not bulky nor does it require an elaborate, sturdyconstruction as it is not intended for use as a therapeutic ankle brace.The footwear accessory does not limit movement of the ankle in order toprotect the ankle against injury-causing twisting movements. It isintended only as an accessory item that allows for the display of a teamlogo or similar indicia. The footwear accessory is a unique clothingitem that may be used to compliment team uniforms or identify individualathletic players.

It is an aspect of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a footwear accessoryaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental elevational side view of the footwearaccessory as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according toa second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according toa third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according toa fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according toa fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an environmental side view of a footwear accessory accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to aseventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to aneighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to aninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to atenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to aeleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to atwelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to athirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to afourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to afifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an indicia displaying footwear accessory,designated generally as 10 in the drawings. The footwear accessory 10 ismade up of a flexible body 12 of unitary construction. One type ofmaterial for the body 12 may be an elastomeric fabric, for example,neoprene. The footwear accessory 10 is designed to fit around a user'sankle and foot. An upper band 14 is adapted to encircle a user's lowerleg above the ankle, and display indicia thereon as shown in FIGS. 1, 2and 5.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible body 12 of the footwearaccessory 10 includes an upper band 14, side straps 16, a middle section18, and a lower band 20. The upper band 14 contains multiple displaystrips 30 for use in displaying indicia, such as logos, team names, etc.The upper band 14 includes a buckle fastener 40 consisting of a buckle42 and strips of hook and loop fastening material 44 used in combinationfor attaching two ends of the upper band 14 to each other. The sidestraps 16 depend from the upper band 14. The middle section 18 of theflexible body 12 is integrally connected to the side straps 16. Themiddle section 18 encircles a user's ankle. The lower band 20 isintegrally connected to the middle section 18 of the flexible body 12.The lower band 20 is dimensioned to extend beneath a user's foot,between a user's heel, and a front portion of the user's foot. The upperband 14, side straps 16 and middle section 18 of the flexible body 12define a plurality of middle openings 32. The middle section 18 of theflexible body 12 and the lower band 20 define a lower front opening 34to allow for placement of the front portion of the user's foot and alower back opening 36 to allow for placement of the user's heel. Astiffener 50 provides support along the side straps 16 for the flexiblebody 12. The flexible body 12 of the footwear accessory 10 may be madefrom a synthetic material.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the footwear accessory 10 is shown, partiallywithin a user's shoe and partially outside of a user's shoe. The middlesection 18 of the flexible body 12 and the lower band 20 are situatedwithin the user's shoe. The side straps 16 and the upper band 14 withdisplay strips 30 generally lie above the shoe on a lower portion of theuser's leg such that the display strips 30 are not obstructed by theuser's shoe.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of footwear accessory 10. Upperband 14, side straps 16, middle section 18 of the flexible body 12, andlower band 20 are shown. In addition, the upper band 14 contains aplurality of upper openings 60 used for aesthetic appeal, situatedbetween the display strips 30.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the footwear accessory 10. The upperband 14 includes multiple display strips 30 to show indicia. The upperband 14 does not include a fastener. The middle section 18 includes afront hook and loop fastener 46 for fastening two sides of the middlesection 18 to each other. The front hook and loop fastener 46 has stripsof hook and loop fastening material that provide for attachment betweentwo ends of the middle section 18 of the flexible body.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Theupper band 14 contains a buckle fastener 40 to attach two ends of theupper band 14 to each other and the middle section 18 contains a rearhook and loop fastener 48 to attach two ends of the middle band 18 toeach other.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. At leastone zipper 70 is situated on the footwear accessory 10 from the middlesection 18, up at least one side strap 16 and ending at the upper band14.

Additionally, the flexible body 12 may be reversible, with indiciadisplayed on display strips 30 situated on either side of the flexiblebody 12 (not shown). The display strips 30 may be detachable from theflexible body 12, using hook and loop fastening material to attach itonto the flexible body.

FIG. 7 shows an environmental side view of a sixth embodiment of theinvention 80. The flexible body 12 of unitary construction includes aband 72 that is adapted to receive the ankle and foot of a user. Theband 72 fits about the user's ankle. The flexible body 12 of unitaryconstruction is elasticized in order to accommodate ankles of varyingsizes. The band 72 has a first end 74 and a second end 76. The first 74and second 76 ends may be attached to one another with any of a numberof fastening devices, for example, a zipper 78 that is integrated intoboth the first 74 and second 76 ends. The user may place the footwearaccessory 80 around the user's ankle and attach the accessory 80 ontothe lower leg by fastening the zipper 78.

Alternatively, the zipper 78 or other fastener system may be omitted,and the first 74 and second 76 ends may be integrated into one another,so that the flexible body 12 is shaped as a one-piece annular band. Theuser then slides the accessory 80 onto the user's leg by placing theuser's foot through the foot aperture 86 and pulling the band 72 overthe ankle.

Indicia display strips 30 are strips of detachable material that arereleasably attached to the band 72. The band 72 has a plurality of firststrips of hook and loop fastening material 82 to which the displaystrips 30 are attached. Each display strip 30 has an exterior surface 84and an interior surface 86 (shown more clearly in FIG. 8). The interiorsurface 86 of each of the display strips 30 is designed to attach to thefirst strips of hook and loop fastening material 82. The display strips30 may be interchanged with any number of other indicia display strips30 in order to display different types of indicia on the band 72.

FIG. 8 is a seventh embodiment of the invention 80. The display stripsare attached to the first strips of hook and loop fastening material 82that are affixed to the band 72. The exterior surface 84 of each of thedisplay strips 30 has decorative indicia 90 disposed thereon. Theinterior surface 86 of each of the strips has a mating second strip ofhook and loop fastening material 88 attached thereto. The interiorsurface 86 of the display strips may then be releasably attached to thefirst strips of hook and loop fastening material 82. A plurality offemale snaps 92 are affixed to the first end 74 of the band 72. Aplurality of mating male snaps 94 are attached to the second end 76 ofthe band 72. The female snaps 92 are releasably connected to the malesnaps 94 to maintain the band 72 about the user's lower leg.

FIG. 9 is an eighth embodiment of footwear accessory 100. The fabricbody 12 of the accessory 100 includes the upper band 72 having a lowerband 102 integrally attached to the upper band 72. The end of the lowerband 102 is lined with a strip of hook and loop fastening material 110.When the user puts the band 72 about the user's lower leg, the lowerband 102 is situated under the user's foot and attaches to the ends 74and 76 of the upper band 72.

Display strips 30 are affixed to the upper band 72. The first end 74 ofthe upper band 72 has an interior-facing strip of hook and loopfastening material 104 and the second end 76 of the upper band 72 has anexterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 106. When theinvention 100 is placed about a user's lower leg, the interior-facingstrip of hook and loop fastening material 104 of the first end 74releasably attaches to the exterior-facing strip of hook and loopfastening material 106 of the second end 76.

The first end 74 of the upper band 72 also has a second exterior-facingstrip of hook and loop fastening material 108 that faces outward whenthe first 74 and second 76 ends of the upper band 72 are affixed to oneanother. The lower band strip of hook and loop fastening material 110 isadapted to fasten to the second exterior-facing strip of hook and loopfastening material 108 on the first end 74. Thus, when the upper band 72is placed about a user's lower leg, the lower band 102 is placed underthe user's foot and attaches to the second exterior-facing strip of hookand loop fastening material 108.

FIG. 10 is a ninth embodiment of the footwear 200 showing a unitary body12 of elastomeric fabric, for example, neoprene. Attached at a front andrear top portion of the footwear 200 are removable or non-removablemultiple display strips 30 for displaying indicia as previouslydisclosed in this application. Removable display strips may utilize ahook and loop fastening system as previously disclosed. In each of thefollowing FIGS. 10 through 16, a lower band 20 extends from a lowercentral portion of the footwear 200 under the sole of the user and thecut out portions for receiving a user's heel H and instep I extend in anupward direction from the lower portion of lower band 20. The cut outportions for receiving the user's heel H and instep I are configuredsuch that lower band 20 is the only portion of footwear 200 receivedwithin a shoe when said the footwear 200 is worn by a user.

FIG. 11 is a tenth embodiment of the invention, similar to footwear 200of FIG. 10, but including a vertically oriented zipper 302 positionedbetween the front and rear portions to fasten the footwear 300 onto auser's ankle.

FIG. 12 is an eleventh embodiment of the invention, similar to footwear300 of FIG. 11 but replacing the zipper 302 with a resilient stretchableelastomeric webbing 402. Webbing 402 allows a user to expand the topopening of footwear 400 by stretching the elastomeric webbing 402 uponinsertion of a user's foot. Additionally, the resilient stretchableelastomeric webbing, as described here and below, only allows stretchingin one planar direction of the webbing. In this configuration, thewebbing is oriented to allow expansion only in a direction between theforward and rearward portion of the elastomeric fabric, that is, in acircumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, butnot in a vertical direction.

FIG. 13 is a twelfth embodiment of the invention showing footwear 500having resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 502 on two side of thebody 12. A first portion 502 of resilient stretchable elastomericwebbing is located on the front of footwear 500 above and including aportion of the instep I opening. A second portion 504 of resilientstretchable elastomeric webbing is located on the rear of footwear 500above and including a portion of the heel H opening. In this embodiment,the elastomeric webbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from sideto side, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomericmaterial of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 14 is a thirteenth embodiment of the footwear 600 as shown in FIG.13 now including a zipper 602 located on the body 12 between the firstportion 502 and second portion 504 of the resilient stretchableelastomeric webbing material. Again, in this embodiment, the elastomericwebbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is,in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12,but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 15 is a fourteenth embodiment of the footwear 700 including aresilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 702 located on an upper rearportion of body 12. In this embodiment, a rear facing display strip 30is a attached via a hook and loop fastening system to the resilientstretchable elastomeric webbing 702. In this embodiment, the elastomericwebbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is,in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12,but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 16 is a fifteenth embodiment of the footwear 800 including aresilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 802 on the front portion ofsaid body 12. In this embodiment, a forward facing display strip 30 isattached via a hook and loop fastening system to the resilientstretchable elastomeric webbing 802. Additionally, a portion 804 ofresilient stretchable elastomeric webbing is located on the rear offootwear 500 above and including a portion of the heel H opening similarto FIGS. 13 & 14. Again, in this embodiment, the elastomeric webbing isallowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is, in acircumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, butnot in a vertical direction.

While various fastening methods are used to illustrate the manner inwhich the user is to affix the footwear accessory to the user's leg, itis to be understood that any of a number of fasteners may be used tomaintain the footwear accessory about the user's leg.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A footwear accessory, comprising: an elasticized band of flexiblematerial adapted to encircle a user's lower leg; at least one firstfastener attached to an outward-facing surface of said elasticized band;and at least one display strip having an exterior surface and aninterior surface, said exterior surface of said display strip havingindicia displayed thereon and said interior surface of said displaystrip having a mating second fastener attached to said display strip,said display strip fastener being releasably attached to said firstfastener.
 2. The footwear accessory according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst fastener comprises a first strip of hook and loop fasteningmaterial and said display strip fastener comprises a mating second stripof hook and loop fastening material.
 3. The footwear accessory accordingto claim 1, wherein said band has a first end and a second end, saidfirst end being releasably attached to said second end.
 4. The footwearaccessory according to claim 3, further comprising a zipper, said zipperhaving mating portions attached to said first end and said second end ofsaid band, said zipper releasably connecting said first and second endsof said band.
 5. The footwear accessory according to claim 3, furthercomprising a plurality of snap fasteners attached to said first end ofsaid band and a plurality of mating snap fasteners attached to saidsecond end of said band, said snap fasteners releasably fastening saidends of said band together to form an annular band.
 6. The footwearaccessory according to claim 3, further comprising a lower band having afree end releasably attached to said first upper band.
 7. The footwearaccessory according to claim 6, wherein said first end of said upperband has a first upper band attachment fastener attached to said firstend and said second end of said upper band has a second upper bandattachment fastener, said first upper band attachment fastener beingreleasably attached to said second upper band attachment fastener. 8.The footwear accessory according to claim 6, wherein a first lower bandattachment fastener is attached to said first end of said upper band andsaid second lower band attachment fastener is attached to said free endof said lower band.
 9. A footwear accessory, comprising: an elasticizedband of flexible material adapted to encircle a user's lower leg; astrap portion of flexible material extending from two opposing sides ofa lower portion of said elasticized band adapted to extend around auser's sole; at least one first fastener attached to an outward-facingsurface of said elasticized band; and at least one display strip havingan exterior surface and an interior surface, said exterior surface ofsaid display strip having indicia displayed thereon and said interiorsurface of said display strip having a mating second fastener attachedto said display strip, said display strip fastener being releasablyattached to said first fastener.
 10. The footwear accessory of claim 9,wherein said at least one first fastener is attached to an upper forwardfacing portion of said elasticized band.
 11. The footwear accessory ofclaim 9, wherein said at least one first fastener is attached to anupper rearward facing portion of said elasticized band.
 12. The footwearaccessory of claim 9, further comprising a vertically oriented zipperlocated between a forward and a rearward portion of said elasticizedband.
 13. The footwear accessory of claim 9, further comprising anelastomeric webbing positioned between a forward and a rearward portionof said elasticized band, said elastomeric webbing expanding only in adirection between said forward and said rearward portions of saidelasticized band.
 14. The footwear accessory of claim 9, furthercomprising an elastomeric webbing positioned on a lower front portion ofsaid elasticized band proximate said strap portion, said elastomericwebbing expanding only in the circumferential direction of saidelasticized band.
 15. The footwear accessory of claim 9, furthercomprising an elastomeric webbing positioned on a lower rear portion ofsaid elasticized band proximate said strap portion, said elastomericwebbing expanding only in the circumferential direction of saidelasticized band.
 16. The footwear accessory of claim 9, furthercomprising: a first portion of elastomeric webbing positioned on a lowerfront portion of said elasticized band proximate said strap portion; anda second portion elastomeric webbing positioned on a lower rear portionof said elasticized band proximate said strap portion; wherein saidelastomeric webbing expands only in the circumferential direction ofsaid elasticized band.
 17. The footwear accessory of claim 9, furthercomprising: an elastomeric webbing on an upper rearward portion of saidelasticized band, wherein said elastomeric webbing expands only in thecircumferential direction of said elasticized band; said at least onefirst fastener attached to an outward-facing surface of said elastomericwebbing.
 18. The footwear accessory of claim 9, further comprising: anelastomeric webbing on an upper forward portion of said elasticizedband, wherein said elastomeric webbing expands only in thecircumferential direction of said elasticized band; said at least onefirst fastener attached to an outward-facing surface of said elastomericwebbing.
 19. The footwear accessory of claim 9, wherein said elasticizedband and said strap portion of the are constructed of neoprene.